FirstEnergy Solutions Corp has rescinded deactivation notices for the Davis-Besse and Perry nuclear power plants in Ohio and resumed preparations to refuel Davis-Besse. This follows the state's passage into law of a bill providing clean energy credits to zero-emission power producers.

Diakont of the USA provided cleaning and decontamination services using its new underwater robotic decontamination systems at four undisclosed nuclear power plants during early 2019, cleaning refuelling cavities, dryer-separator pools, and a suppression pool.

All three units that were disconnected from the grid last week at the Kalinin nuclear power plant are now supplying electricity as normal, Russia's Rosenergoatom announced on 20 July. Kalinin units 1, 2 and 4 had lost connection with the network on 18 July after a transformer switch short circuited. The switchgear has since been repaired.

The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission has proposed a reduction in the frequency and scope of inspections at the country's more than 90 nuclear power units to help reduce costs and improve efficiency. In response, the Nuclear Energy Institute said "smarter regulations" can help nuclear plant owners and operators allocate time and resources to areas that most impact safety.

Foratom, the European nuclear trade body, has highlighted the importance of long-term operation of the existing fleet of nuclear power plants in a position paper published on 10 July. Ensuring the LTO of the European nuclear fleet will help Europe achieve its climate goals at an affordable cost, it says.

Holtec International has fabricated and delivered six high-density used fuel racks and associated ancillary equipment to Duke Energy's Shearon Harris plant ahead of schedule.

The United Arab Emirates' Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation has officially certified Nawah Energy's first group of operators for the Barakah nuclear power plant. Certification of operators is a key requirement for the issue of the plant's operating licence.

Rolls-Royce and Analysis and Measurement Services Corporation have signed a partnership agreement to provide advanced Instrumentation and Control system testing services to the nuclear energy market. 

Belgium will need more capacity than previously forecast to cope with its planned nuclear exit and is not yet ready for any scenario, a new report by Belgian grid operator Elia has found. Meanwhile, a team of experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency has completed a review on the long-term operation of two of the country's nuclear power plants.

Unit 2 of the Taishan nuclear power plant in China's Guangdong province has been connected to the electricity grid, becoming the second EPR reactor to reach the commissioning milestone after Taishan 1. Unit 2 is expected to enter commercial operation later this year.

GE Steam Power is to continue providing full maintenance services on two turbine islands at the Cernavoda nuclear power plant in Romania under a newly announced USD120 million multi-year agreement with Societatea Nationala Nuclearelectrica. Meanwhile, work has begun at GE's Belfort site to manufacture the first Arabelle steam turbine for Turkey's Akkuyu nuclear power plant.
 

Units 1 and 2 of the Forsmark nuclear power plant can be operated safely for a further 10 years, until 2028, taking them beyond their initial 40-year planned operation, the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority said yesterday.